Wrench



(No Model.)

WRENCH.

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Nrrnn STATES ATENT Fries.

IVALTER L. BEDFORD, OF IIUMBOLDT, MICHIGAN.

WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.v 552,740, dated January 7, 1896. Application led March 2.6, 1895. Serial No. 543,227. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

l Be it known that I, WALTER L. BEDFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Humboldt, in the county of Marquette and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vrenches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the construction of a wrench, and particularly in the devices employed in adjusting and holding the jaws in their adjusted positions, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure l is avertical central section through a wrench embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the handle thereof.

A is the movable j aw, having the shank B, which is notched or toothed on its rear face, as shown at C.

D is the stationaryT jaw, having the hollow handle E, in which the shank B of the movable jaw is slidingly held.

L is a notched block pivoted in a recess or opening in the rear face of the handle of the stationary jaw, as shown at G. This block is provided on its inner face with notches or teeth H adapted to engage with the notches or teeth in the shank of the movable jaw. This block is actuated by the lever M, pivoted to the jaw D, which extends along the rear face of the handle and has at its pivoted end a cam-surface N, adapted to engage and force the block L against the shank of the movable jaw. In the normal position of the parts when the block L engages with the teeth in the shank of the movable jaw the lever is at a slight angle to the handle, and when the operator grasps the handle with his hand he will draw the lever into the position shown in the drawings, in which position it preferably fits in a longitudinal groove J, so as to make a iush handle. This bending of the lever will act to positively clamp the block against the teeth of the shank and thus hold the movable jaw firmly against accidental movement when in use.

The end of the shank B, I preferably form into a screwdriver-point, as shown at O. This construction is very simple to manufacture, easy and quick to adjust, and in using it the harder the operator grasps the tool the tighter the block is held against the shank.

I preferably provide my wrench with a spring-catch?, located in an aperture in the front face of the stationary jaw and projecting into the groove Q in the shank B. A stop R at 'the lower end of the shank will normally engage with this catch and prevent the movable jaw from falling out until the catch is released.

What I claim as my invention is l. In a wrench, the combination with the movable jaw, of a shank thereon having notches or teeth upon its rear face, a stationary jaw provided with a hollow handle in which the shank engages, said handle having a recess or opening in the rear face at the top thereof, a block provided with notches or teeth, pivotally secured in said recess, and a lever arm pivoted in said recess and adapted to engage said block extending down beside the handle as and for the purpose described.

2. In a wrench, the combination with the movable jaw, of a shank thereon having notches or teeth upon its rear face, a stationary jaw provided with a hollow handle in which the shank engages, said handle having a recess or opening near the top of its rear face, a toothed block pivotally secured therein, a lever arm engaged with said block, and a longitudinal groove in the rear face of the handle adapted to receive the lever arm substantially as described.

3. In a wrench, the combination with the movable jaw, of a shank thereon having notches or teeth upon its rear face, a stationary jaw provided with a hollow handle in which said shank works, said handle having in its rear face a recess or opening, a block provided with teeth or notches pivotally secured in said recess, a lever arm pivoted in said recess and having a cam surface engaging said block, and a catch on the handle and adapted to engage the shank, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER L. BEDFORD.

Witnesses:

G-no. P. .CUMMrN-es, W. S. HILL. 

